Mudavadi rallies diplomats at Wellness Day, pushes for a stronger, homegrown foreign service

The State Department for Foreign Affairs on Friday held the Ministerial Wellness Day.

Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi joined the staff to celebrate the Wellness Day.

The event was held at Ulinzi Grounds in Nairobi, under the theme “Healthy Workforce, Stronger Diplomacy.”

It provided a timely opportunity to reflect on the Department’s significant achievements, including the successful development, publication, and gazettement of Sessional Paper No. 1 of 2025, which has now been formally adopted by both the Executive and the Legislature.

Mudavadi also underscored an ongoing policy shift aimed at ensuring that 70 per cent of Kenya’s diplomats are homegrown.

This, he said, is an ambitious move designed to deepen professional growth and enhance the long-term institutional capacity of the Foreign Service.

As the Ministry prioritises the well-being of its staff, the Prime Cabinet Secretary reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to building a resilient, professional, and globally respected foreign service.

He later presented awards to distinguished officials and top-performing Directorates in recognition of their exemplary service and outstanding performance.

The event brought together ministry personnel for a day dedicated to promoting physical fitness, mental health, emotional well-being, and financial literacy.

A guided yoga session facilitated by the High Commission of India, followed by energising aerobics and team-building activities, set a vibrant tone for the day.

Speaking on behalf of the Principal Secretary, Ambassador Lucy Kiruthu underscored the Ministry’s commitment to employee wellness, emphasising that diplomacy requires not only intellectual capacity but also physical and emotional strength.

She noted that a resilient workforce is central to the effective delivery of Kenya’s foreign policy goals.

The Director of Administration, Stella Langat, echoed the sentiment, highlighting wellness as a strategic pillar in improving service delivery.